Portable extensible support



' WITNESS v Wynn 0i?- Mar. 20. 1923. v 11,448,932.- l- P- MAYHUGH.

PORTABLE EXTENSIBLE SUPPORT.

FILED MAR. 31. 1922.

A TTORNEY Patented Mar. 20,1223,

UNIT STATES tanner a r Fries.

. PORTABLE EXTENSIBLE SUPPORT.

Applicationfiled March 31, 1922. Serial No. 548,318.

To all whom it Wbcft/ cancer 1i:

Be it known that I, Jnssn Pihhrnnerr, a citizen of the United States, residing at Glassport, in the county ofAllegheny and State of Pennsylvania, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Portable Extensible Supports, of which the following is a specification.

This invention relates to a portable extensible support, primarily designed to supersede ladders, scaffolding, swinging platforms, etc., utilized by workmen on work accessible only by the use of such structures,

but it is obvious that the device may be em-- ployed for any purpose wherein it is found to be applicable. 1

Important objects of the invention are to provide an elevating device of the type stated, in a manner as hereinafter set forth, which is self supporting and need not be attached to any structure for maintenance, which may be manipulated by an operator on the elevating platform, which is simple in itsconstruction and arrangement, readily positioned, compactly collapsible for transportation or storage, durable and efficient in its use, and inexpensive to manufacture.

To the accomplishment of these and such other objects as may hereinafter appear the invention consists of the novel construction, combination and arrangement of parts here in specifically described and illustrated in the accompanying drawing, wherein is shown an embodiment of the invention, but it is to be understood that changes, variations and modifications may be resorted to which come within the scope of the claims hereunto appended.

In the drawing forming a portion of the specification and wherein like numerals of reference designate corresponding parts throughout the several views Figure 1. is a side elevation of extensible support in accordance with the invention.

Figure 2 is an end view thereof.

Figure 3 is a top plan view of the device.

Figure 1 is a sectional view on line IV- IV, Figure 1.

Referring in detail to the drawing 1 de. notes an elongated base, preferably constructed from channel iron and having longitudinally adjustable ends 2, each provided. with a pair of depending legs 3, 4.. The lower end of each of the legs carries a vertically adjustable roller 5 to permit of and facilitate the leveling and positioning of the device. i

A verticallyextending bracket 6 is fixed to the base 1 and is formed with a guideway 7 and slot 8. A vertically disposed and shiftable rack bar 9 is slidably mounted in the guideway'i', and carries a rearwardly extending arm10 to which the operating cable 11 is anchored.

Supported from the upper end of the bracket 6 is an extensiblemember 12, operable on the well known lazy tongs system, and comprises a plurality of jointed bars capable of great extension. The lower pair of bars 13, 13 are pivotally connected as indicated at 14, to the upper end of the bracket 6. The ends of the cable 11 are connected, as at 15, to respective bars 13, and 13'.

The free ends of each of the upper pair of bars 16 and 16' carries a pair of pivotally supported rollers 17, which operate in a runway 18, secured to the lower face of the platform 20 and connect the latterwith the extensible member. 12. The lower face of the runway 18 is provided with a slot 21 to allow the movement of the bars 16. 16, therein when the member 12 is extended or collapsed.

Each of the bars 16 and 16 formed with a 1 head 22 having an aperture 23 for the reception of the pin 24-. which extends through the platform 20 and serves to lock the member 12 to the adjusted position by prevent ing movement thereof. i l

A pinion is in mesh with the rack bar 9 and is lined to the shaft 26 journaled in the bearings 27 mounted in the bracket 6. A drive gear 28 is fixed to one end of the shaft 26 and meshes with the pinion 29 on the shaft 30, journaled in the bearing 31 and bearing bracket 32. The former is secured to the bracket 6 and the latter to the base 1.

Fixed to the shaft 30 is drun'i 33 on which the operating rope 34 is adapted to be coiled. When the rope 3 1 is pulled by the operator the drum 33 is rotated, actuating the gear mechanism and thereby shifting the rack-bar 9 vertically downward. Such movement of the rack bar 9, due to its connection with the extensible member 12 through the cable 11, will cause the extension of the member 12 and elevate the platform 20 carried thereby. The collapse of the member 12 is by gravity, during which operation the rope 3 1 is rewoimd on the drum 33.

To stabilize the platform 20 when elevated to the adjusted position a plurality of guy lines are provided, each of which has one end attached to the base 1, as at 36, and the other to the platform, as at 37.

An operator on the platform 20 may readily elevate himself and the platform 20 to any desired height by manipulating the rope 34 to actuate the gear mechanism and associated parts as above described.

That I claim is 1. A support of the type described comprising a platform having depending from its lower face a slotted runway, a base, an extensible supporting element mounted on the base and extended through the slot of the runway, means carried on the upper end of said element and travelling on said runway whereby said element is slidably connected with said platform, means for operating said element to vertically adjust said platform, and means carried by the platform for maintaining it in adjusted position.

2. A support of the type described com- I prising a platform having depending from its lower face a slotted runway, a base, an extensible supporting element mounted on the base and extended through the slot of the runway, means carried on the upper end of said element and travelling on said runway whereby said element is slidably connected with said platform, means for operating said element to vertically adjust said platform, and means for adjusting the length of the base and for leveling the same.

3. A support of the type described comprising a platform having depending from its lower face a slotted runway, a base, an extensible supporting element mounted on the base and extended through the slot of the runway, means carried on the upper end of said element and travelling on said runway whereby said element is slidably connected with said platform, means for operating said element to vertically adjust said platform, and means carried by the platform and engaging said element for maintaining the platform in adjusted position.

In testimony whereof I afiix my signature.

JESSE P. MAYHUGI-I. 

